Improvement in hydrants



. UNITED STATESA PATENT OFFICEn WASHBUBN RACE AND S. R. C. MATHEWS, OF LOCKPOR'I, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS TO S. R. C. MATHEWS.

IMPROVEMENT IN HYDRANTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 96,959, dated November 16, 1869.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, WASHBURN RAGE and S. R, C. MATHEWS, of Lockport, in the e county of Niagara and State of New York,

have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Hydrants; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation ofiour improved hydrant; Fig. 2, a horizontal crosssection.

Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both figures.

We obtained a patent dated January 28, 1858, in which the distinguishing feature is a detached case or jacket surrounding the hydrant-stock, and embedded in the ground.

Our present invention is an improvement upon that; and consists in so forming and connecting the loose case that it extends above the surface of the ground, and conforms to 'the general outline of the hydrant itself, and may be driven back to place when the frost has expended its force, as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings, A indicates the hydrant, the part a resting above ground, and the stock b being embedded.

The loose ease or jacket B, which surrounds the stock, is made of graceful cylindrical outline, so as to conform to the general symmetry of the hydrant, and it has an end play of several inches, more or less, between shoulders g g, which limit the motion. The earth is filled around this jacket, while the hydrant-stock itself is simply inclosed. The lower end of the case preferably shuts into a flange, h, of the main elbow-connection C, and it may be centered to prevent axial turning by a sleeve, c, which rests in a groove, d.

In the use of this hydrant, the earth is not lled clear to the top of the loose case, but the latter projects up to such an extent that it may be driven back to place when the frost has expended its force. The position of the parts, of course, will be indicated at the top to the eye.

By this arrangement the heaving action is expended entirely upon the outside case, and can in no wise affect the hydrant. The heavingby frostis a constant source of trouble and expense in other hydrants, by causing the elbows at the bottom connecting with the main to break, also throwing the hydrant itself out of position. While we remedy this' diicnlty by giving the desired end play, we at the same time, by extending the ease above the surface, enable it to be driven back to place without difficulty.

Another great advantage of our invention is that the hydrant can be set at various heights above sidewalks, accommodating them to the different gradings without loosing` their symmetrical appearance. This is owing to the fact that the loose case projecting above presents-the saine graceful appearance as the hydrant itself'.

What we claim as our invention, and desire lo secure by Letters Patent, is

The detached case B, so combined and arranged with hydrant A as to have an end play or vertical motion of several inches to compensate for the heaving by frost, the upper part of same passing outside ot' main stock of hydrant, so that any change in its position can be easily ascertained, and the case driven hack to its place, without disturbing the hydrant.

I'n witness whereof we have hereunto signed our names iu the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WASHBURN RACE. S. R. C. MATHEWS.

Witnesses:

JOHN VAN HORN, ELLswoRTH ELY. 

